In-Vehicle Communication Device, In-Vehicle Relay Device, In-Vehicle Communication System, and Communication Method

Abstract

To provide an on-vehicle communication device, an on-vehicle relay device, an on-vehicle communication system, and a communication method that can be expected to contribute to the introduction of service-oriented communication for communication in a vehicle.SOLUTION: An on-vehicle communication system includes: an on-vehicle communication device having a stream database; and a plurality of on-vehicle relay devices connected to the on-vehicle communication device. Each on-vehicle relay device is connected to a plurality of on-vehicle control devices. The on-vehicle communication device and the on-vehicle relay devices communicate with a first communication protocol of service-oriented communication. The on-vehicle relay devices and the on-vehicle control devices communicate with a second communication protocol. The on-vehicle communication device stores time-series information received from the on-vehicle relay device in the stream database, and distributes information stored in the stream database to the on-vehicle relay device. The on-vehicle relay device receives the information distributed from the on-vehicle communication device and transmits it to an on-vehicle control device, receives information transmitted from the on-vehicle control device to transmit it to the on-vehicle communication device, and causes the information to be stored in the stream database.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an in-vehicle communication device, an in-vehicle relay device, an in-vehicle communication system, and a communication method for transmitting and receiving various information in a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, among communication protocols used for communication between a plurality of devices such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) mounted on a vehicle, the communication protocol of CAN (Controller Area Network) has been widely adopted.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, a detection / control integrated device is proposed that is connected to the CAN of a vehicle, causes in-vehicle equipment to execute an operation by a device diagnostic command, captures status response data transmitted by this in-vehicle equipment, and determines the operating state of the in-vehicle equipment.

[0004] In Patent Document 2, a method is proposed for establishing a data link between a vehicle and a receiving side that performs remote monitoring, collecting operation data of the vehicle from a data source in the vehicle, packaging the operation data of the vehicle in a data packet using a protocol derived from SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), and transmitting the data packet on the data link to transmit the vehicle operation data to the receiving side that performs remote monitoring of the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The system described in Patent Document 1 is a system in which a plurality of devices mounted on a vehicle communicate using the CAN communication protocol. In the system described in Patent Document 2, SNMP is adopted as the communication protocol. In recent years, for example, developments such as autonomous driving of vehicles have been carried out, and the functionality of vehicles has been enhanced. Along with the enhancement of vehicle functionality, the use of the Ethernet (registered trademark) communication protocol for in-vehicle communication has been considered, and the SOME / IP (Scalable service-Oriented MiddlewarE over IP) communication protocol defined by AUTOSAR (AUTomotive Open System ARchitecture) as the communication protocol for the upper layer of Ethernet has attracted attention. SOME / IP is service-oriented communication that applies a service-oriented architecture to vehicle communication.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an in-vehicle communication device, an in-vehicle relay device, an in-vehicle communication system, and a communication method that can be expected to contribute to the introduction of service-oriented communication for in-vehicle communication.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The in-vehicle communication device according to this aspect is connected to a plurality of in-vehicle devices via individual communication lines, respectively, and includes a communication unit that communicates with the in-vehicle devices using a communication protocol for service-oriented communication via the communication lines, a stream database that stores the time-series information received by the communication unit from the in-vehicle devices, and a processing unit that performs a process of distributing the time-series information stored in the stream database to the in-vehicle devices.

[0009] This application can be realized not only as an apparatus provided with such a characteristic control unit, but also as a method having such a characteristic process as steps, or as a computer program for causing a computer to execute such steps. It can be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes some or all of these apparatuses, or as other apparatuses or systems including these apparatuses.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the above, it can be expected to contribute to the introduction of service-oriented communication for in-vehicle communication.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] [Description of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. At least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[0013] (1) The in-vehicle communication device according to this aspect is connected to a plurality of in-vehicle devices via individual communication lines, and includes a communication unit that communicates with the in-vehicle devices via the communication lines using a communication protocol for service-oriented communication, a stream database that stores the time-series information received from the in-vehicle devices by the communication unit, and a processing unit that performs a process of distributing the time-series information stored in the stream database to the in-vehicle devices.

[0014] In this aspect, an in-vehicle communication device to which a plurality of in-vehicle devices are connected via individual communication lines communicates with the in-vehicle devices via these communication lines using a communication protocol for service-oriented communication. The in-vehicle communication device includes a stream database that stores the time-series information received from the in-vehicle devices, and distributes the information stored in this stream database to one or a plurality of in-vehicle devices. The processing is performed. Thereby, the in-vehicle communication device can centrally manage the time-series information in the vehicle and can operate as a server that provides time-series information in service-oriented communication, so it can be expected to contribute to the introduction of service-oriented communication for in-vehicle communication.

[0015] (2) Preferably, the processing unit receives a registration request for the distribution destination of the time series information stored in the stream database from the in-vehicle device, registers the in-vehicle device as the distribution destination of the time series information, reads out the time series information stored in the stream database, and distributes the read information to the in-vehicle device registered as the distribution destination.

[0016] In this aspect, the in-vehicle device makes a registration request for the distribution destination of the information stored in the stream database to the in-vehicle communication device, and the in-vehicle communication device that has received this registration request registers the requesting in-vehicle device as the distribution destination of the information. The in-vehicle communication device reads out the information stored in the stream database and distributes the read information to one or more in-vehicle devices registered as the distribution destination. Thereby, the in-vehicle communication device can distribute the information stored in the stream database to the appropriate in-vehicle device.

[0017] (3) Preferably, the information transmitted and received by the communication unit includes at least one of the time series information, the generation time information of the time series information, the version information regarding the communication protocol, the information for identifying the device that generated the time series information, the route information via which the communication has passed, and the security information for preventing the modification of the time series information.

[0018] In this aspect, the information transmitted and received between the in-vehicle communication device and the in-vehicle device includes at least one of the time series information stored in the stream database, the generation time information of this information, the version information regarding the communication protocol, the identification information of the device that generated the information, the route information via which the communication has passed, and the security information for preventing the modification of the information. By including these information, it can be expected that the in-vehicle communication system including the in-vehicle communication device and the in-vehicle device performs the transmission and reception of information corresponding to the communication protocol of service-oriented communication.

[0019] (4) Preferably, the processing unit transmits the time series information stored in the stream database to another in-vehicle communication device connected to each of the plurality of in-vehicle devices via an individual communication line.

[0020] In this aspect, in addition to the above in-vehicle communication device, another in-vehicle communication device is provided in the vehicle. In the other in-vehicle communication device, the same plurality of in-vehicle devices connected to the in-vehicle device are connected via individual communication lines. The in-vehicle communication device transmits the information stored in the stream database to the other in-vehicle communication device. Thereby, the other in-vehicle communication device that has received the information from the in-vehicle communication device can store the received information in its own stream database, and when the in-vehicle communication device becomes unable to distribute the information due to some factor, the other in-vehicle communication device can perform information distribution.

[0021] (5) The processing unit preferably receives the time-series information transmitted from another in-vehicle communication device connected to each of the plurality of in-vehicle devices via an individual communication line and stores it in the stream database, and when an abnormality of the other in-vehicle communication device is detected, distributes the time-series information stored in the stream database to the in-vehicle device.

[0022] In this aspect, the in-vehicle communication device receives the information transmitted from another in-vehicle communication device and stores it in the stream database. When the in-vehicle communication device detects an abnormality of another in-vehicle communication device, it distributes the information stored in the stream database to one or a plurality of in-vehicle devices. Thereby, the in-vehicle communication device can store the information stored in the stream database of another in-vehicle communication device in its own stream database as a backup, and when another in-vehicle communication device becomes unable to distribute the information due to some factor, the in-vehicle communication device can perform information distribution.

[0023] (6) The in-vehicle relay device according to this aspect is connected to an in-vehicle communication device via a first communication line, and includes a first communication unit that communicates using a first communication protocol for service-oriented communication, a second communication unit that is connected to one or more in-vehicle control devices via a second communication line and communicates using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, and a processing unit that performs a process of relaying communication between the in-vehicle communication device and the in-vehicle control device. The processing unit receives time-series information distributed from the in-vehicle communication device at the first communication unit, transmits the received time-series information from the second communication unit to the in-vehicle control device, receives time-series information transmitted from the in-vehicle control device at the second communication unit, and transmits the received time-series information from the first communication unit to the in-vehicle communication device, thereby causing the in-vehicle communication device to store the time-series information in a stream database.

[0024] In this aspect, the in-vehicle relay device is connected to an in-vehicle communication device via a first communication line and to one or more in-vehicle control devices via a second communication line. The in-vehicle relay device communicates with the in-vehicle communication device using a first communication protocol for service-oriented communication and communicates with the in-vehicle control device using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. The in-vehicle relay device receives information distributed from the in-vehicle communication device and transmits it to the in-vehicle control device. The in-vehicle relay device receives information transmitted from the in-vehicle control device and transmits it to the in-vehicle communication device, thereby causing the in-vehicle communication device to store the information received from the in-vehicle control device in a stream database. As a result, it is expected to realize an in-vehicle communication system in which different communication protocols including service-oriented communication coexist, and it is expected to contribute to the introduction of service-oriented communication for in-vehicle communication.

[0025] (7) Preferably, the processing unit requests the in-vehicle communication device to register the destination of the time-series information stored in the stream database of the in-vehicle communication device.

[0026] In this aspect, the in-vehicle relay device requests the in-vehicle communication device to register the distribution destination of the information stored in the stream database of the in-vehicle communication device. Thereby, the in-vehicle relay device can, for example, register the distribution destination with the in-vehicle communication device for the information required by one or more in-vehicle control devices connected to itself, and can acquire the necessary information from the in-vehicle communication device and transmit it to the in-vehicle control device.

[0027] (8) A plurality of the first communication units are provided, and the plurality of first communication units include a first communication unit connected to the first in-vehicle communication device and a first communication unit connected to the second in-vehicle communication device. The processing unit preferably transmits and receives time-series information to and from the first in-vehicle communication device, and when an abnormality of the first in-vehicle communication device is detected, transmits and receives time-series information to and from the second in-vehicle communication device.

[0028] In this aspect, the in-vehicle relay device is connected to the first in-vehicle communication device and the second in-vehicle communication device, and communication with both in-vehicle communication devices is possible. The in-vehicle relay device normally transmits and receives information to and from the first in-vehicle communication device, and when an abnormality of the first in-vehicle communication device is detected, transmits and receives information to and from the second in-vehicle communication device. Thereby, the in-vehicle relay device can continue the processing using the second in-vehicle communication device even when some abnormality occurs in the first in-vehicle communication device.

[0029] (9) A plurality of the second communication units are provided, and the plurality of second communication units include a second communication unit connected to the in-vehicle control device via a communication line and a second communication unit connected to another communication line connecting another in-vehicle relay device and another in-vehicle control device. The processing unit preferably transmits and receives time-series information to and from the other in-vehicle control device when an abnormality of the other in-vehicle relay device is detected.

[0030] In this aspect, the in-vehicle relay device is also connected via a communication line to one or more in-vehicle control devices connected to another in-vehicle relay device, and can communicate with the in-vehicle control devices for which the other in-vehicle relay device is performing communication relay. When an abnormality of another in-vehicle relay device is detected, the in-vehicle relay device transmits and receives information to and from one or more in-vehicle control devices connected to this other in-vehicle relay device. Thereby, even when some abnormality occurs in another in-vehicle relay device, the in-vehicle relay device can communicate with the in-vehicle control device in place of the other in-vehicle relay device.

[0031] (10) The in-vehicle communication system according to this aspect includes an in-vehicle communication device having a stream database for storing received time-series information, and a plurality of in-vehicle relay devices connected to the in-vehicle communication device via individual first communication lines. Each in-vehicle relay device is connected to a plurality of in-vehicle control devices via a second communication line. The in-vehicle communication device and the in-vehicle relay device communicate using a first communication protocol for service-oriented communication, and the in-vehicle relay device and the in-vehicle control device communicate using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol. The in-vehicle communication device stores the time-series information received from the in-vehicle relay device in the stream database, distributes the time-series information stored in the stream database to the in-vehicle relay device, the in-vehicle relay device receives the time-series information distributed from the in-vehicle communication device and transmits it to the in-vehicle control device, and receives the time-series information transmitted from the in-vehicle control device and transmits it to the in-vehicle communication device, thereby storing the time-series information in the stream database.

[0032] In this aspect, similar to aspects (1) and (6), it can be expected to contribute to the introduction of service-oriented communication for in-vehicle communication.

[0033] (11) In the communication method according to this aspect, an in-vehicle communication device connected to a plurality of in-vehicle devices via individual communication lines communicates with the in-vehicle devices using the communication protocol of service-oriented communication via the communication lines, stores the time-series information received from the in-vehicle devices in a stream database, and distributes the time-series information stored in the stream database to the in-vehicle devices.

[0034] In this aspect, similar to aspect (1), it can be expected to contribute to the introduction of service-oriented communication for in-vehicle communication.

[0035] (12) In the communication method according to this aspect, an in-vehicle relay device connected to an in-vehicle communication device via a first communication line and connected to one or more in-vehicle control devices via a second communication line communicates with the in-vehicle communication device using a first communication protocol of service-oriented communication, communicates with the in-vehicle control devices using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, receives the time-series information distributed from the in-vehicle communication device and transmits it to the in-vehicle control devices, and receives the time-series information transmitted from the in-vehicle control devices and transmits it to the in-vehicle communication device, thereby storing the time-series information in the stream database of the in-vehicle communication device.

[0036] In this aspect, similar to aspect (6), it can be expected to contribute to the introduction of service-oriented communication for in-vehicle communication.

[0037] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] A specific example of an in-vehicle communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to these examples, and is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0038] [System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the outline of an in-vehicle communication system according to Embodiment 1. The in-vehicle communication system according to this embodiment is a system in which various devices such as an integrated ECU (in-vehicle communication device) 1, a relay ECU (in-vehicle relay device) 3, and an ECU (in-vehicle control device) 5 mounted on a vehicle 100 transmit and receive messages via an in-vehicle network. In this embodiment, one integrated ECU 1 is mounted on the vehicle 100, and a plurality (three in this example) of relay ECUs 3 are connected to the integrated ECU 1 via individual communication lines. The integrated ECU 1 and the plurality of relay ECUs 3 are connected in a so-called star-type network configuration and transmit and receive messages according to the communication protocol of Ethernet (registered trademark).

[0039] A plurality (three in this example) of ECUs 5 are respectively connected to each relay ECU 3 via a common communication line. The relay ECU 3 and the plurality of ECUs 5 are connected in a so-called bus-type network configuration and transmit and receive messages according to the communication protocol of CAN (Controller Area Network). Thus, the in-vehicle communication system according to this embodiment is a system in which communication according to the communication protocol of Ethernet and communication according to the communication protocol of CAN are mixed. The integrated ECU 1 is disposed at an appropriate position of the vehicle 100. Each relay ECU 3 is disposed for each area such as the front, rear, left, and right of the vehicle 100 and is connected to the integrated ECU 1 via an individual communication line. The plurality of ECUs 5 are respectively disposed at appropriate positions of the vehicle 100 and are connected to the nearest relay ECU 3 via a CAN bus.

[0040] In recent years, it has been proposed to use service-oriented communication, i.e., the SOME / IP communication protocol, for communication within a vehicle. The SOME / IP communication protocol is a communication protocol designed based on a service-oriented architecture and is a communication protocol for the upper layer of Ethernet. In the conventional CAN communication protocol, broadcast and multicast communications are performed, while in the SOME / IP communication protocol, client-server type communication is performed. Therefore, when attempting to perform the same communication as the SOME / IP communication protocol on the CAN communication protocol, each communication node needs to operate as both a client and a server, and there are concerns about a decrease in communication efficiency.

[0041] Therefore, in the in-vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment, as described above, the communication network within the vehicle 100 is separated into a plurality of layers including the integrated ECU 1 and the relay ECU 3 that perform Ethernet communication, and the relay ECU 3 and the ECU 5 that perform CAN communication. The SOME / IP communication protocol is applied to the communication between the integrated ECU 1 and the relay ECU 3. In contrast, in the in-vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment, the CAN communication protocol is applied to the communication between the relay ECU 3 and the ECU 5. By adopting such a hierarchical structure, the in-vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment enables the application of the SOME / IP communication protocol to a system in which different communication protocols such as Ethernet and CAN coexist.

[0042] In the in-vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment, the integrated ECU 1 centrally manages various types of information transmitted and received by each device within the vehicle 100. For this purpose, the integrated ECU 1 is provided with a stream database (simply referred to as DB in FIG. 1) that stores these various types of information. The stream database is a database that stores time-series information and sequentially processes the stored information in time-series order. In the in-vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment, for example, information such as the speed information or engine rotation speed information generated by each ECU 5 is treated as time-series information according to the generation order.

[0043] In the in-vehicle communication system according to this embodiment, the relay ECU 3 acquires the time-series information generated by the ECU 5 and transmits it to the integrated ECU 1, so that the time-series information is stored in the stream database of the integrated ECU 1. The integrated ECU 1 reads out the information stored in the stream database in chronological order and distributes the read-out time-series information to the ECU 5 that needs this information (to the relay ECU 3 to which the ECU 5 that needs the information is connected). Thereby, this The in-vehicle communication system according to this embodiment can perform service-oriented communication with the integrated ECU 1 that stores and distributes time-series information as a server, and the relay ECU 3 and ECU 5 that are provided with time-series information as clients.

[0044] <Device Configuration> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the integrated ECU 1 according to Embodiment 1. The integrated ECU 1 according to this embodiment includes a processing unit (processor) 11, a storage unit (storage) 12, a communication unit (transceiver) 13, and the like. The processing unit 11 is configured using an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit). The processing unit 11 reads and executes the program 12a stored in the storage unit 12, and performs various processes such as a process of storing the information received from the relay ECU 3 and a process of distributing the stored information to the relay ECU 3.

[0045] The storage unit 12 is configured using a non-volatile memory element such as a flash memory or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The storage unit 12 stores various programs executed by the processing unit 11 and various data necessary for the processing of the processing unit 11. In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 stores the program 12a executed by the processing unit 11, and is provided with a destination table 12b in which information regarding the destination to which the stored information is distributed is registered, and a stream DB (database) 12c that stores time-series information.

[0046] The program (program product) 12a may be written into the storage unit 12 at, for example, the manufacturing stage of the integrated ECU 1, or the integrated ECU 1 may acquire through communication what is distributed by, for example, a remote server device or the like. Further, the integrated ECU 1 may read out the program 12a recorded on a recording medium 99 such as a memory card or an optical disk and store it in the storage unit 12, or for example, what is recorded on the recording medium 99 may be read out by a writing device and written into the storage unit 12 of the integrated ECU 1. The program 12a may be provided in a mode of distribution via a network or in a mode of being recorded on the recording medium 99.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the destination table 12b. The destination table 12b according to the present embodiment is a table in which, for example, the identification information of the device that is the destination of information and the type of information to be distributed to this device are stored in association with each other. In this example, it is stored that information such as vehicle speed, engine speed, and steering angle is distributed to the destination with the identification information of the relay ECU_A attached. It is stored that information such as steering angle and shift position is distributed to the destination with the identification information of the relay ECU_B attached. It is stored that information such as position information and vehicle speed is distributed to the destination with the identification information of the relay ECU_C attached. The integrated ECU 1 receives, for example, a registration request from the relay ECU 3 at the time of startup of the in-vehicle communication system or the like, determines the type of information to be distributed according to the received request, and stores in the destination table 12b in association with each other the identification information of the relay ECU 3 that is the source of the request and the type of information to be distributed.

[0048] Note that in a system such as the in-vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment that requires a registration request to the integrated ECU 1, information distribution from the integrated ECU 1 is not performed for an ECU or the like that has not made a registration request. Further, when there is an ECU or the like that the integrated ECU 1 cannot receive a registration request for some reason, the integrated ECU 1 may store information such as the identification information of the ECU that made the registration request, the time when the registration request failed, and the content of the registration request as abnormality information regarding registration.

[0049] Also, the in-vehicle communication system according to this embodiment requires a registration request for the integrated ECU 1, but it is not limited to this. The in-vehicle communication system may not perform a registration request. In this case, the integrated ECU 1 stores a destination table 12b in which information on a predetermined destination and distribution information is set in advance, and the integrated ECU 1 continuously distributes information according to the information set in the destination table 12b. It may be the case, and in this case, the integrated ECU 1 stores a destination table 12b in which information on a predetermined destination and distribution information is set in advance, and the integrated ECU 1 continuously distributes information according to the information set in the destination table 12b.

[0050] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the stream DB 12c. In this figure, an example is shown in which the stream DB 12c stores information such as vehicle speed, steering angle, and rotational speed as time-series information generated within the vehicle 100. The stream DB 12c stores the time-series information included in the message received by the integrated ECU 1 in time series for each type of the information. Each piece of information is stored in the stream DB 12c in a so-called FIFO (First-In First-Out) manner. The stream DB 12c stores, for example, information on the vehicle speed at time t0, the vehicle speed at time t1, the vehicle speed at time t2, and the vehicle speed at time t3 in this time-series order. When newly storing information on the vehicle speed at time t4, the information on the vehicle speed at time t4 is added and stored after the information on the vehicle speed at time t3, which is the latest among the stored information. The stream DB 12c stores, for example, information on the rotational speed at time t0, the rotational speed at time t1, the rotational speed at time t2, the rotational speed at time t3, and the rotational speed at time t4 in this time-series order. When reading out the information on the rotational speed, the information on the rotational speed at time t0, which is the oldest, is read out.

[0051] When the integrated ECU 1 reads out and distributes information from the stream DB 12c, it may read out and distribute one piece of information at a time, or it may read out a plurality of pieces of information at a time and distribute the plurality of pieces of information together. For example, the integrated ECU 1 can read out information on the vehicle speed from time t0 to t4 from the stream DB 12c, include the five pieces of information on the vehicle speed in one message, and distribute this information to the ECU or the like that requires this information.

[0052] Also, the integrated ECU 1 may read a plurality of pieces of information from the stream DB 12c, perform calculations on the plurality of pieces of information, and distribute the calculation results. For example, the integrated ECU 1 may read the vehicle speed information from time t0 to t4 from the stream DB 12c, calculate the maximum value, minimum value, or average value of the five vehicle speeds, etc., and distribute a message including the calculated value. Even when the integrated ECU 1 reads only one piece of information from the stream DB 12c, it may perform calculations on the read single piece of information.

[0053] The number of pieces of information read by the integrated ECU 1 from the stream DB 12c, the calculation content for the read information, etc. may be specified, for example, when an ECU or the like that requires this information makes a registration request. Also, for example, at the design stage of the in-vehicle communication system, etc., the number of pieces of information to be read and the calculation content, etc. may be determined for each type of information.

[0054] Also, for example, when there are two ECUs that request the distribution of vehicle speed information, the integrated ECU 1 may distribute the average value of three vehicle speeds to the first ECU and the maximum value of five vehicle speeds to the second ECU, etc., and perform information distribution with different numbers of information and calculation contents for each distribution destination.

[0055] In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the information read from the stream DB 12c is discarded (erased from the storage area), but it is not limited to this. For example, the information may be stored in the stream DB 12c until a predetermined time has elapsed since the information was generated, and may be continuously stored without being discarded. However, when the stream DB 12c does not discard the read information, it manages which information in the time series has been read. The distribution destination table 12b and the stream DB 12c are not stored in the storage unit 12 configured using a non-volatile memory element, and may be stored in a storage unit configured using a volatile memory element such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static Random Access Memory).

[0056] The communication unit 13 performs wired communication according to the Ethernet communication protocol. The communication unit 13 can be configured by using, for example, an Ethernet switch IC (Integrated Circuit). The communication unit 13 is connected to the relay ECU 3 via individual communication lines arranged in the vehicle 100, and performs one-to-one communication with these relay ECUs 3 according to the Ethernet communication protocol. The communication unit 13 transmits a message to the relay ECU 3 by converting the transmission message given from the processing unit 11 into an electrical signal according to the Ethernet communication protocol and outputting it to the communication line. The communication unit 13 receives a message from the relay ECU 3 by sampling and acquiring the potential of the communication line, and gives the received message to the processing unit 11.

[0057] In the integrated ECU 1 according to the present embodiment, the processing unit 11 reads and executes the program 12a stored in the storage unit 12, whereby the registration processing unit 11a, the DB processing unit 11b, the distribution processing unit 11c, etc. are realized as software functional units in the processing unit 11. The registration processing unit 11a performs a process of registering the distribution destination of the information stored in the stream DB 12c. For example, when the ignition switch of the vehicle 100 is switched from the off state to the on state and the in-vehicle communication system is started, the registration processing unit 11a notifies each relay ECU 3 connected to the communication unit 13 of information regarding the service provided by itself, and acquires a registration request for the distribution destination of information from each relay ECU 3. Each relay ECU 3 transmits a registration request for an information distribution destination including information such as the identification information attached to itself and the type of information for which distribution is requested to the integrated ECU 1. The registration processing unit 11a of the integrated ECU 1 receives the request from the relay ECU 3, and registers the distribution destination and the distribution information in the distribution destination table 12b of the storage unit 12 based on the information included in the received request. The registration of the distribution destination performed in the in-vehicle communication system can be performed, for example, according to the procedure according to the SOME / IP-SD communication protocol.

[0058] The DB processing unit 11b performs processes such as storing and reading information with respect to the stream DB 12c. The DB processing unit 11b acquires the time-series information included in the received message, and stores the acquired time-series information by adding it to the end (after the newest information) of the same type of information stored in the stream DB 12c in time series. When reading information from the stream DB 12c, the DB processing unit 11b determines the type of information to be read, and reads the oldest information from among the information of this type stored in time series.

[0059] The distribution processing unit 11c performs a process of distributing the information stored in the stream DB 12c to one or a plurality of relay ECUs 3. In the in-vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment, for example, a distribution cycle is determined for each type of information. The distribution processing unit 11c acquires information from the stream DB 12c at a predetermined cycle, and creates a message including the acquired information. The distribution processing unit 11c transmits the created message to one or a plurality of relay ECUs 3 registered as the distribution destination of this information in the distribution destination table 12b. The message distributed from the integrated ECU 1 to the relay ECU 3 may include a plurality of pieces of information read from the stream DB 12c. The distribution cycle may be determined not for each type of information but, for example, for each distribution destination. Separately from the determined cycle, the distribution processing unit 11c may, for example, when requested to transmit information from the relay ECU 3, acquire the requested information from the stream DB 12c and transmit it to the requesting relay ECU 3.

[0060] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the relay ECU 3 according to Embodiment 1. The relay ECU 3 according to the present embodiment includes a processing unit (processor) 31, a storage unit (storage) 32, a first communication unit (transceiver) 33, a second communication unit (transceiver) 34, and the like. The processing unit 31 is configured using an arithmetic processing device such as a CPU or an MPU. By reading and executing the program 32a stored in the storage unit 32, the processing unit 31 performs various processes such as a process of requesting registration of a distribution destination to the integrated ECU 1 and a process of relaying message transmission and reception between the integrated ECU 1 and the ECU 5.

[0061] The storage unit 32 is configured by using a non-volatile memory element such as a flash memory or an EEPROM. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 32 stores a program 32a executed by the processing unit 31. The program (program product) 32a may be written into the storage unit 32, for example, at the manufacturing stage of the relay ECU 3. Alternatively, the relay ECU 3 may acquire, through communication, a program distributed by a remote server device or the like. Further, the relay ECU 3 may read out a program 32a recorded on a recording medium 98 such as a memory card or an optical disk and store it in the storage unit 32. Alternatively, a writing device may read out a program recorded on the recording medium 98 and write it into the storage unit 32 of the relay ECU 3. The program 32a may be provided in a mode of distribution via a network or in a mode of being recorded on the recording medium 98.

[0062] The first communication unit 33 performs wired communication according to the communication protocol of Ethernet and may be configured by using, for example, an IC of an Ethernet switch. The first communication unit 33 is connected to the integrated ECU 1 via an individual communication line arranged in the vehicle 100 and performs one-to-one communication with the integrated ECU 1 according to the communication protocol of Ethernet. The first communication unit 33 transmits a message to the integrated ECU 1 by converting a transmission message given from the processing unit 31 into an electrical signal according to the communication protocol of Ethernet and outputting the electrical signal to the communication line. The first communication unit 33 receives a message from the integrated ECU 1 by sampling and acquiring the potential of the communication line and gives the received message to the processing unit 31.

[0063] The second communication unit 34 performs wired communication according to the CAN communication protocol and can be configured using, for example, an IC of a CAN controller. The second communication unit 34 is connected to a plurality of ECUs 5 via a CAN bus arranged in the vehicle 100 and performs communication according to the CAN communication protocol with the ECUs 5. The second communication unit 34 transmits a message to the ECU 5 by converting the transmission message given from the processing unit 31 into an electrical signal according to the CAN communication protocol and outputting it to the CAN bus. The second communication unit 34 receives a message from the ECU 5 by sampling and acquiring the potential of the CAN bus, and gives the received message to the processing unit 31. When a collision occurs in the transmission of a message to the CAN bus, the second communication unit 34 performs a process of arbitrating the transmission order of the message.

[0064] In the relay ECU 3 according to the present embodiment, the processing unit 31 reads and executes the program 32a stored in the storage unit 32, whereby the registration processing unit 31a, the relay processing unit 31b, etc. are realized as software functional units in the processing unit 31. The registration processing unit 31a performs a process of requesting the integrated ECU 1 to register the information distribution destination. For example, after the in-vehicle communication system is started, the integrated ECU 1 transmits information about the services it provides to each relay ECU 3 and accepts a registration request for the information distribution destination. The registration processing unit 31a of each relay ECU 3 that has received information from the integrated ECU 1 transmits a registration request for the information distribution destination including information on the identifier attached to itself and the type of information it requires to the integrated ECU 1. Here, the type of information it requires is the information required by one or a plurality of ECUs 5 connected to the relay ECU 3. For example, the type of information required by each ECU 5 is stored in advance in the storage unit 32 of the relay ECU 3, and the registration processing unit 31a can perform a registration request based on this information. Alternatively, the registration processing unit 31a may acquire information about what types of information are required when communicating with each ECU 5, for example, when the in-vehicle communication system is started.

[0065] The relay processing unit 31b performs processing to relay the transmission and reception of messages between the integrated ECU 1 and one or more ECUs 5. The relay processing unit 31b receives the message distributed by the integrated ECU 1 through the first communication unit 33, obtains the time-series information included in the received message, generates a CAN message including the obtained information, and transmits it from the second communication unit 34. The relay processing unit 31b receives the message transmitted by the ECU 5 through the second communication unit 34, obtains the time-series information included in the received message, generates an Ethernet (or SOME / IP) message including the obtained information, and transmits it from the first communication unit 33. The relay processing unit 31b may split one message received from one into a plurality of messages and relay them to the other party, or combine a plurality of messages received from one party into one message and relay them to the other party.

[0066] <Communication Processing> In the in-vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment, messages are transmitted and received between one or more ECUs 5 and the relay ECU 3 according to the CAN communication protocol, and messages are transmitted and received between one or more relay ECUs 3 and the integrated ECU 1 according to the SOME / IP communication protocol. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the format of messages transmitted and received between the integrated ECU 1 and the relay ECU 3 according to Embodiment 1. In the in-vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment, the integrated ECU 1 and the relay ECU 3 transmit and receive messages according to the SOME / IP communication protocol. This message is provided with information storage areas such as a 32-bit message ID, a 32-bit message length, a 32-bit request ID, an 8-bit protocol version, an 8-bit interface version, an 8-bit message type, an 8-bit return code, and a variable-length payload.

[0067] The message ID is identification information indicating the type of message, and is determined in advance by system designers or the like, similar to the CAN-ID used in, for example, the CAN communication protocol. The message length is numerical information in units such as bits or bytes indicating the overall length of this message. The request ID is identification information attached to the device that requested the distribution of the information contained in this message. The protocol version and interface version are information on the protocol and interface versions of the SOME / IP communication protocol used by the device that transmits and receives the message. The message type is identification information indicating the type of information contained in this message. The return code is used to notify whether a certain request has been processed normally, and for example, one of several codes indicating normal completion or abnormal completion is set. The information from the message ID to the return code contained in the message is in the SOME / IP communication protocol

[0068] The payload is an area for storing one or more pieces of time-series information stored in or stored in the stream DB12c. In the in-vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment, information such as generation time information, node number, route information, and security information is stored in the payload of the message together with the time-series information. The generation time information is information indicating the time when the time-series information was generated (or the time when the relay ECU 3 received the message including this information from the ECU 5 that generated the time-series information). Each device of the in-vehicle communication system can determine the order of the time series of information based on this generation time. The node number is identification information of the node (device) that generated this message or identification information of the node that generated the information contained in this message. The route information is information indicating through which communication route this message was received, and for example, the identification information of one or more nodes that transmitted and received this message is stored in order. The security information is information for preventing forgery of the message, and is, for example, information such as an error detection code, an error correction code, or an authentication code.

[0069] In the in-vehicle communication system according to this embodiment, the integrated ECU 1 and the relay ECU 3 generate and transmit messages in the format shown in FIG. 6. However, the message transmitted from the integrated ECU 1 to the relay ECU 3 may be in the format of FIG. 6, and the message transmitted from the relay ECU 3 to the integrated ECU 1 may be in a different format. The payload of the message does not necessarily include node numbers, route information, security information, etc.

[0070] In the in-vehicle communication system according to this embodiment, for example, after the ignition switch of the vehicle 100 is switched from the off state to the on state and power is supplied to each device of the in-vehicle communication system to start it, first, the integrated ECU 1 performs a process of registering the distribution destinations of the information in the distribution destination table 12b. However, this registration process is not performed every time the in-vehicle communication system is started. Instead, it may be performed when the system is started for the first time, the distribution destination table 12b is stored, and thereafter, the integrated ECU 1 may perform information distribution by reusing the stored distribution destination table 12b.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the registration process performed by the integrated ECU 1 according to Embodiment 1. The processing unit 11 of the integrated ECU 1 according to this embodiment performs a startup process including initialization processing of each unit (step S1) after, for example, the ignition switch of the vehicle 100 is switched from the off state to the on state and power is supplied from a battery or the like. After the startup process is completed, the registration processing unit 11a of the processing unit 11 transmits service information including various information related to the services provided by itself to each relay ECU 3 connected to the communication unit 13 via an individual communication line (step S2).

[0072] The registration processing unit 11a determines whether it has received a registration request message transmitted by the relay ECU 3 that has received the transmission of service information (step S3). If the registration request message has not been received from the relay ECU 3 (S3: NO), the registration processing unit 11a waits until the registration request message is received. If the registration request message has been received (S3: YES), the registration processing unit 11a acquires the identification information of the transmitting device included in the received registration request message (step S4). The registration processing unit 11a acquires the type of information for which distribution is requested, included in the received registration request message (step S5). The registration processing unit 11a associates the identification information acquired in step S4 with the type of information acquired in step S5 and registers it in the distribution destination table 12b of the storage unit 12 (step S6), and ends the process.

[0073] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the registration process performed by the relay ECU 3 according to Embodiment 1. The processing unit 31 of the relay ECU 3 according to the present embodiment performs a startup process including processing such as initialization of each unit, for example, after the ignition switch of the vehicle 100 is switched from the off state to the on state and power is supplied from a battery or the like (step S21). After the startup process ends, the registration processing unit 31a of the processing unit 31 determines whether it has received the service information transmitted by the integrated ECU 1 by the first communication unit 33 (step S22). If the service information has not been received from the integrated ECU 1 (S22: NO), the registration processing unit 31a waits until the service information is received.

[0074] When the integrated ECU1 receives service information (S22: YES), the registration processing unit 31a determines the information required by one or more ECUs 5 connected to the CAN bus via the second communication unit 34 (step S23). At this time, the registration processing unit 31a may determine the information required by each ECU 5, for example, by reading out the information stored in advance, or may inquire about the information required by the ECU 5 and obtain a response. The registration processing unit 31a generates a registration request message including the type of information determined to be required by the ECU 5 in step S23 and information such as the identification information attached to itself (step S24). The registration processing unit 31a transmits the generated registration request message from the first communication unit 33 to the integrated ECU1 (step S25) and ends the process.

[0075] In FIGS. 7 and 8, the integrated ECU1 transmits service information, and the relay ECU3 makes a registration request in a mode of responding to the received service information. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after the completion of the startup process, each relay ECU3 may spontaneously transmit a registration request message to the integrated ECU1.

[0076] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of communication processing performed by the integrated ECU1 according to Embodiment 1. The processing unit 11 of the integrated ECU1 determines whether or not it has reached the timing for distributing information, for example, when the distribution cycle determined for each type of information has elapsed (step S41). When it has reached the information distribution timing (S41: YES), the DB processing unit 11b of the processing unit 11 selects, from the information stored in the stream DB 12c of the storage unit 12, the information to be distributed Read the oldest information of the type (step S42). At this time, the DB processing unit 11b may read a plurality of pieces of information in order from the oldest. The distribution processing unit 11c of the processing unit 11 includes one or more pieces of information read from the stream DB 12c in step S42 in the payload, and generates a message of the SOME / IP communication protocol with various information such as the message ID and message length shown in FIG. 6 attached thereto (step S43). The distribution processing unit 11c transmits the message generated in step S43 from the communication unit 13 to one or more relay ECUs 3 registered as the distribution destinations of this information in the distribution destination table 12b of the storage unit 12 (step S44), and ends the processing.

[0077] When the information distribution timing has not arrived (S41: NO), the processing unit 11 determines whether a message has been received from the relay ECU 3 (step S45). When a message has not been received from the relay ECU 3 (S45: NO), the processing unit 11 returns the processing to step S41 and waits until the information distribution timing arrives or a message is received from the relay ECU 3. When a message has been received from the relay ECU 3 (S45: YES), the DB processing unit 11b acquires the time-series information included in the received message (step S46). The DB processing unit 11b stores the time-series information acquired in step S46 in the stream DB 12c (step S47), and ends the processing.

[0078] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the relay process performed by the relay ECU 3 according to Embodiment 1. The relay processing unit 31b of the processing unit 31 of the relay ECU 3 according to the present embodiment determines whether a message from the integrated ECU 1 has been received by the first communication unit 33 (step S61). When a message from the integrated ECU 1 is received (S61: YES), the relay processing unit 31b acquires necessary time-series information and the like from the message conforming to the SOME / IP communication protocol (step S62). The relay processing unit 31b generates a message conforming to the CAN communication protocol including the information acquired in step S62 (step S63). The relay processing unit 31b transmits the message generated in step S63 from the second communication unit 34 to the ECU 5 (step S64), and ends the process.

[0079] When a message from the integrated ECU 1 has not been received (S61: NO), the relay processing unit 31b determines whether a message from the ECU 5 has been received by the second communication unit 34 (step S65). When a message from the ECU 5 has not been received (S65: NO), the relay processing unit 31b returns the process to step S61 and waits until a message from the integrated ECU 1 or the ECU 5 is received. When a message from the ECU 5 is received (S65: YES), the relay processing unit 31b acquires time-series information and the like from the message conforming to the CAN communication protocol (step S66). The relay processing unit 31b generates a message conforming to the SOME / IP communication protocol including the information acquired in step S66 (step S67). The relay processing unit 31b transmits the message generated in step S67 from the first communication unit 33 to the integrated ECU 1 (step S68), and ends the process.

[0080] In FIG. 10, each time the relay ECU 3 receives a message from the integrated ECU 1 or the ECU 5, it relays the message by transmitting a message containing the received information, but it is not limited to this. For example, when the relay ECU 3 receives a plurality of messages and the desired information is complete, the relay ECU 3 may generate and transmit a relay message containing the plurality of pieces of information. For example, the relay ECU 3 may transmit a relay message at a predetermined cycle. In this case, the information contained in the messages received until the predetermined cycle elapses is stored, and when the timing for transmitting the relay message arrives after the predetermined cycle has elapsed, a relay message containing the plurality of pieces of information stored may be generated and transmitted.

[0081] <Summary> In the in-vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment having the above configuration, the integrated ECU 1 to which a plurality of relay ECUs 3 are connected via individual communication lines communicates with the relay ECU 3 via these communication lines using the SOME / IP communication protocol of service-oriented communication. The integrated ECU 1 includes a stream DB 12c that stores the time-series information received from the relay ECU 3, and performs a process of distributing the time-series information stored in the stream DB 12c to one or a plurality of relay ECUs 3. Thereby, the integrated ECU 1 can centrally manage the time-series information in the vehicle 100 and can operate as a server that provides time-series information in service-oriented communication.

[0082] In the in-vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment, the relay ECU 3 requests the integrated ECU 1 to register the distribution destination of the information stored in the stream DB 12c, and the integrated ECU 1 that has received this registration request registers the requesting relay ECU 3 as the distribution destination of the information in the distribution destination table 12b of the storage unit 12. The integrated ECU 1 reads out the information stored in the stream DB 12c and distributes the read-out information to one or a plurality of relay ECUs 3 registered as distribution destinations in the distribution destination table 12b. Thereby, the integrated ECU 1 can distribute the information stored in the stream DB 12c to the appropriate relay ECU 3.

[0083] In the in-vehicle communication system according to this embodiment, the messages transmitted and received between the integrated ECU 1 and the relay ECU 3 include at least one of the time-series information stored in or to be stored in the stream DB 12c, the generation time information of this information, the protocol version and interface version information regarding the communication protocol, the node number as the identification information of the device that generated the information, the route information via which the communication passed, and the security information for preventing the alteration of the information. By including these pieces of information, it can be expected that the in-vehicle communication system including the integrated ECU 1 and the relay ECU 3 performs the transmission and reception of messages corresponding to the SOME / IP communication protocol of service-oriented communication.

[0084] In the in-vehicle communication system according to this embodiment, the relay ECU 3 is connected to the integrated ECU 1 via an Ethernet communication line and is connected to one or more ECUs 5 via a CAN bus. The relay ECU 3 communicates with the integrated ECU 1 using the SOME / IP communication protocol of service-oriented communication and communicates with the ECU 5 using the CAN communication protocol. The relay ECU 3 receives the information distributed from the integrated ECU 1 and transmits it to the ECU 5. The relay ECU 3 receives the information transmitted from the ECU 5 and transmits it to the integrated ECU 1, thereby storing the information received from the ECU 5 in the stream DB 12c of the integrated ECU 1. Thereby, it can be expected to realize an in-vehicle communication system in which service-oriented communication and different communication protocols are mixed.

[0085] In the in-vehicle communication system according to this embodiment, the relay ECU 3 requests the integrated ECU 1 to register the distribution destination of the information stored in the stream DB 12c of the integrated ECU 1. Thereby, the relay ECU 3 can register the distribution destination with the integrated ECU 1 regarding the information required by, for example, one or more ECUs 5 connected to itself, and can acquire the necessary information from the integrated ECU 1 and transmit it to the ECU 5.

[0086] In the present embodiment, for example, the network configuration of the in-vehicle communication system shown in FIG. 1, the device configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the information stored in the table shown in FIG. 3, the information stored in the database shown in FIG. 4, etc. are just examples and are not limited thereto. The communication protocols used in the in-vehicle communication system according to the present embodiment are SOME / IP, Ethernet, CAN, etc., but are not limited thereto, and various communication protocols can be adopted.

[0087] <Embodiment 2> FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the in-vehicle communication system according to Embodiment 2. The in-vehicle communication system according to Embodiment 2 is the in-vehicle communication system according to the above-described Embodiment 1 with redundancy of devices and networks etc. to cope with the occurrence of abnormalities or failures in devices or networks etc. The in-vehicle communication system according to Embodiment 2 includes two integrated ECUs, i.e., a first integrated ECU 201a and a second integrated ECU 201b. The first integrated ECU 201a performs the same processing as the integrated ECU 1 of the in-vehicle communication system according to Embodiment 1 in a normal state where no abnormalities etc. have occurred.

[0088] The first integrated ECU 201a and the second integrated ECU 201b are connected via a communication line and can perform communication based on, for example, the Ethernet communication protocol. When the first integrated ECU 201a stores time-series information in its own stream DB 12c, it transmits the same information to the second integrated ECU 201b so that the second integrated ECU 201b stores the same information in the stream DB 12c it has. That is, the second integrated ECU 201b backs up the information stored by the first integrated ECU 201a in its own stream DB 12c. The first integrated ECU 201a may transmit the information in the distribution destination table 12b to the second integrated ECU 201b.

[0089] The second integrated ECU 201b is connected to one or more relay ECUs 203a, 203b connected to the first integrated ECU 201a via individual communication lines (shown by broken lines in FIG. 11). The relay ECUs 203a, 203b according to Embodiment 2 are connected to the two integrated ECUs, i.e., the first integrated ECU 201a and the second integrated ECU 201b, via individual communication lines. In a normal state where no abnormality or the like has occurred, the first integrated ECU 201a and the relay ECUs 203a, 203b communicate with each other, and the second integrated ECU 201b and the relay ECUs 203a, 203b do not communicate with each other.

[0090] The second integrated ECU 201b receives the information transmitted from the first integrated ECU 201a and stores it in its own stream DB 12c. Further, when a state where the information from the first integrated ECU 201a is not received continues for example for a predetermined time or more, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the first integrated ECU 201a. For example, when the first integrated ECU 201a detects that an abnormality has occurred in itself, or when it detects that an abnormality has occurred in the communication path between itself and the relay ECUs 203a, 203b, etc., it may notify the second integrated ECU 201b of the occurrence of the abnormality. When it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the first integrated ECU 201a, the second integrated ECU 201b notifies the relay ECUs 203a, 203b that an abnormality has occurred.

[0091] Upon receiving the notification of the occurrence of the abnormality from the second integrated ECU 201b, the relay ECUs 203a, 203b stop communicating with the first integrated ECU 201a and start communicating with the second integrated ECU 201b. Thereafter, the second integrated ECU 201b and the relay ECUs 203a, 203b communicate with each other, and the second integrated ECU 201b stores the time-series information included in the message received from the relay ECUs 203a, 203b in the stream DB 12c, and distributes the time-series information stored in the stream DB 12c to the relay ECUs 203a, 203b.

[0092] In the in-vehicle communication system, the relay ECU 203a is connected to one or more ECUs 205a via the CAN bus, and the relay ECU 203b is connected to one or more ECUs 205b via the CAN bus. Further, in the in-vehicle communication system according to the second embodiment, the relay ECU 203a is connected to the CAN bus through which the relay ECU 203b and the ECU 205b communicate (this communication path is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 11), monitors the communication status of the relay ECU 203b and the ECU 205b, and can communicate with the relay ECU 203b and the ECU 205b. Similarly, the relay ECU 203b is connected to the CAN bus through which the relay ECU 203a and the ECU 205a communicate (this communication path is indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 11), monitors the communication status of the relay ECU 203a and the ECU 205a, and can communicate with the relay ECU 203a and the ECU 205a. The communication paths indicated by the one-dot chain line and the two-dot chain line in FIG. 11 are redundant communication paths used when an abnormality or the like occurs in the relay ECUs 203a and 203b.

[0093] In a normal state where no abnormality or the like has occurred, the relay ECU 203a communicates with the ECU 205a and monitors the communication between the relay ECU 203a and the ECU 205b. The relay ECU 203a determines that an abnormality has occurred in the relay ECU 203b, for example, when the state where the relay ECU 203b has not transmitted information continues for a predetermined time. For example, when the first integrated ECU 201a detects an abnormality in the relay ECU 203b, it may notify the relay ECU 203a to that effect. The relay ECU 203a that has determined that an abnormality has occurred in the relay ECU 203b notifies the first integrated ECU 201a (or the second integrated ECU 201b) and the ECU 205b of the abnormality in the relay ECU 203b.

[0094] The first integrated ECU 201a, which has been notified of an abnormality in the relay ECU 203a from the relay ECU 203b, will subsequently transmit to the relay ECU 203a the types of information registered in the destination table 12b as being to be transmitted to the relay ECU 203b. The relay ECU 203a receives the message from the first integrated ECU 201a and transmits the information contained in the received message to the ECUs 205a and 205b. At this time, it is preferable for the relay ECU 203a to transmit the information contained in the received message separately as the information required by the ECU 205a and the information required by the ECU 205b. For this purpose, the relay ECU 203a may, for example, store in advance the types of information required by the ECU 205b, or may acquire information regarding the types of information required by the ECU 205b. However, the relay ECU 203a may also transmit the information contained in the message received from the first integrated ECU 201a to both the ECUs 205a and 205b without distinguishing the information.

[0095] The same applies when an abnormality or the like occurs in the relay ECU 203a and the relay ECU 203b transmits information from the first integrated ECU 201a to the ECU 205a, so the description is omitted.

[0096] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the process performed by the second integrated ECU 201b according to the second embodiment. The second integrated ECU 201b determines the presence or absence of an abnormality in the first integrated ECU 201a, for example, by determining that information transmission from the first integrated ECU 201a has not been performed for a predetermined period (step S81). When no abnormality has occurred in the first integrated ECU 201a (S81: NO), the second integrated ECU 201b determines whether it has received time-series information transmitted from the first integrated ECU 201a (step S82). When it has not received the time-series information (S82: NO), the second integrated ECU 201b returns the process to step S81. When it has received the time-series information (S82: YES), the second integrated ECU 201b stores the received information in its own stream DB 12c (step S83) and returns the process to step S81.

[0097] When it is determined that there is an abnormality in the first integrated ECU 201a (S81: YES), the second integrated ECU 201b notifies one or more relay ECUs 203a, 203b connected thereto that an abnormality has occurred in the first integrated ECU 201a (step S84). Thereafter, the second integrated ECU 201b starts communication according to the SOME / IP communication protocol with the relay ECUs 203a, 203b (step S85) and ends the process.

[0098] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the process performed by the relay ECU 203a according to the second embodiment. The relay ECU 203a according to the second embodiment continuously monitors the CAN bus on which the relay ECU 203b and the ECU 205b communicate, and determines the presence or absence of an abnormality in the relay ECU 203b by determining, for example, that information transmission by the relay ECU 203b has not been performed for a predetermined period (step S101). When no abnormality has occurred in the relay ECU 203b (S101: NO), the relay ECU 203a continuously monitors until an abnormality occurs in the relay ECU 203b.

[0099] When an abnormality has occurred in the relay ECU 203b (S101: YES), the relay ECU 203a notifies the first integrated ECU 201a (or the second integrated ECU 201b) that is distributing time-series information of the abnormality of the relay ECU 203b (step S102). Thereafter, the relay ECU 203a starts relaying the transmission and reception of information between the first integrated ECU 201a and the ECU 205b (step S103) and ends the process.

[0100] In the in-vehicle communication system according to the second embodiment having the above configuration, two integrated ECUs, i.e., the first integrated ECU 201a and the second integrated ECU 201b, are provided in the vehicle 100. The first integrated ECU 201a and the second integrated ECU 201b are both connected to the relay ECUs 203a and 203b via individual communication lines. The first integrated ECU 201a transmits the time-series information stored in its own stream DB 12c to the second integrated ECU 201b. The second integrated ECU 201b that has received the information from the first integrated ECU 201a can store the received information in its own stream DB 12c. Thus, when the first integrated ECU 201a becomes unable to distribute information due to some factor, the second integrated ECU 201b can distribute the time-series information to the relay ECUs 203a and 203b instead of the first integrated ECU 201a.

[0101] In the in-vehicle communication system according to the second embodiment, the relay ECUs 203a and 203b are connected to the first integrated ECU 201a and the second integrated ECU 201b and can communicate with both integrated ECUs. The relay ECUs 203a and 203b normally transmit and receive information to and from the first integrated ECU 201a, and when an abnormality of the first integrated ECU 201a is detected, they transmit and receive information to and from the second integrated ECU 201b. Thus, the relay ECUs 203a and 203b can continue the process using the second integrated ECU 201b even when some abnormality occurs in the first integrated ECU 201a.

[0102] In the in-vehicle communication system according to the second embodiment, the relay ECU 203a is also connected to one or more ECUs 205b connected to the relay ECU 203b via a communication line and can communicate with the ECUs 205b for which the relay ECU 203b is relaying communication. When an abnormality of the relay ECU 203b is detected, the relay ECU 203a transmits and receives information to and from one or more ECUs 205b connected to this relay ECU 203b. Thus, even when some abnormality occurs in the relay ECU 203b, the relay ECU 203a can communicate with the ECUs 205b instead of the relay ECU 203b.

[0103] Note that since the other configurations of the in-vehicle communication system according to Embodiment 2 are the same as those of the in-vehicle communication system according to Embodiment 1, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0104] The in-vehicle communication device, the in-vehicle relay device, etc. include a computer configured to include a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The arithmetic processing unit such as a microprocessor may read and execute a computer program including some or all of the steps of a sequence diagram or a flowchart as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 from a storage unit such as a ROM or a RAM. The computer programs of these multiple devices can each be installed from an external server device or the like. These computer programs are each distributed in a state stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory.

[0105] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is shown not by the above meaning but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0106] 1 Integrated ECU (In-vehicle Communication Device) 3 Relay ECU (In-vehicle Device, In-vehicle Relay Device) 5 ECU (In-vehicle Control Device) 11 Processing Unit 11a Registration Processing Unit 11b DB Processing Unit 11c Distribution Processing Unit 12 Storage Unit 12a Program 12b Distribution Destination Table 12c Stream DB 13 Communication Unit 31 Processing Unit 31a Registration Processing Unit 31b Relay Processing Unit 32 Storage Unit 32a Program 33 First communication unit 34 Second communication unit 98, 99 Recording medium 201a First integrated ECU 201b Second integrated ECU 203a, 203b Relay ECU 205a, 205b ECU

Claims

1. A communication unit connected to a plurality of in-vehicle devices via individual communication lines respectively, and performing communication with the in-vehicle devices using a communication protocol for service-oriented communication via the communication lines; A stream database that stores the time-series information received by the communication unit from the in-vehicle devices; A processing unit that performs a process of distributing the time-series information stored in the stream database to the in-vehicle devices; Comprising; When there is no abnormality in other in-vehicle communication devices connected to the plurality of in-vehicle devices via individual communication lines respectively, the communication unit does not communicate with the plurality of in-vehicle devices; The processing unit; Receives time-series information transmitted from other in-vehicle communication devices connected to the plurality of in-vehicle devices via individual communication lines respectively, and stores it in the stream database; When detecting an abnormality in the other in-vehicle communication devices, distributes the time-series information received from the other in-vehicle communication devices stored in the stream database to the in-vehicle devices; An in-vehicle communication device.

2. The processing unit; Receives a registration request for a distribution destination of the time-series information stored in the stream database from the in-vehicle device, registers the in-vehicle device as the distribution destination of the time-series information; Reads out the time-series information stored in the stream database, and distributes the read-out information to the in-vehicle device registered as the distribution destination; The in-vehicle communication device according to Claim 1.

3. The information transmitted and received by the communication unit includes at least one of the time-series information, generation time information of the time-series information, version information regarding the communication protocol, information for identifying the device that generated the time-series information, route information via which communication has passed, and security information for preventing modification of the time-series information; The in-vehicle communication device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. The processing unit transmits the time-series information stored in the stream database to other in-vehicle communication devices connected to the plurality of in-vehicle devices via individual communication lines respectively. The in-vehicle communication device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. A first communication unit connected to an in-vehicle communication device via a first communication line and performing communication using a first communication protocol for service-oriented communication; A second communication unit connected to one or more in-vehicle control devices via a second communication line and performing communication using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol; A processing unit that performs a process of relaying communication between the in-vehicle communication device and the in-vehicle control device is provided, The processing unit receives the time-series information distributed from the in-vehicle communication device at the first communication unit, and transmits the received time-series information from the second communication unit to the in-vehicle control device, receives the time-series information transmitted from the in-vehicle control device at the second communication unit, and transmits the received time-series information from the first communication unit to the in-vehicle communication device, thereby storing the time-series information in the stream database of the in-vehicle communication device, Furthermore, a plurality of first communication units are provided, Among the plurality of first communication units, there is a first communication unit connected to a first in-vehicle communication device having a stream database, and a first communication unit that receives the time-series information transmitted from the first in-vehicle communication device and stores it in the stream database, and when an abnormality of the first in-vehicle communication device is detected, distributes the time-series information received from the first in-vehicle communication device stored in the stream database, including a first communication unit connected to a second in-vehicle communication device, The processing unit performs transmission and reception of time-series information with the first in-vehicle communication device, and when an abnormality of the first in-vehicle communication device is detected, performs transmission and reception of time-series information with the second in-vehicle communication device, An in-vehicle relay device.

6. The processing unit requests the in-vehicle communication device to register as a distribution destination of the time-series information stored in the stream database of the in-vehicle communication device. The in-vehicle relay device according to claim 5.

7. A plurality of second communication units are provided, Among the plurality of second communication units, there is a second communication unit connected to the in-vehicle control device via a communication line, and a second communication unit connected to another communication line connecting another in-vehicle relay device and another in-vehicle control device is included, When an abnormality of the other in-vehicle relay device is detected, the processing unit performs transmission and reception of time-series information with the other in-vehicle control device, The in-vehicle relay device according to claim 5 or claim 6.

8. An in-vehicle communication device having a stream database for storing received time-series information, and a plurality of in-vehicle relay devices connected to the in-vehicle communication device via individual first communication lines are provided, Each in-vehicle relay device is connected to a plurality of in-vehicle control devices via a second communication line, The in-vehicle communication device and the in-vehicle relay device communicate using a first communication protocol for service-oriented communication, The in-vehicle relay device and the in-vehicle control device communicate using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, The in-vehicle communication device stores the time-series information received from the in-vehicle relay device in the stream database, distributes the time-series information stored in the stream database to the in-vehicle relay device, The in-vehicle relay device receives the time-series information distributed from the in-vehicle communication device and transmits it to the in-vehicle control device, receives the time-series information transmitted from the in-vehicle control device and transmits it to the in-vehicle communication device, thereby storing the time-series information in the stream database, Furthermore, the in-vehicle communication device receives the time-series information transmitted from another in-vehicle communication device connected to each of the plurality of in-vehicle relay devices via an individual communication line and stores it in the stream database, when detecting an abnormality of the other in-vehicle communication device, distributes the time-series information received from the other in-vehicle communication device stored in the stream database to the in-vehicle relay device, In-vehicle communication system.

9. An in-vehicle communication device comprising: a communication unit connected to a plurality of in-vehicle devices via individual communication lines and performing communication with the in-vehicle devices using a communication protocol for service-oriented communication via the communication lines; a stream database for storing the time-series information received by the communication unit from the in-vehicle devices; and a processing unit for performing a process of distributing the time-series information stored in the stream database to the in-vehicle devices, in a state where no abnormality has occurred in another in-vehicle communication device connected to each of the plurality of in-vehicle devices via individual communication lines, does not communicate with the plurality of in-vehicle devices, receives the time-series information transmitted from another in-vehicle communication device connected to each of the plurality of in-vehicle devices via individual communication lines and stores it in the stream database, when detecting an abnormality of the other in-vehicle communication device, distributes the time-series information received from the other in-vehicle communication device stored in the stream database to the in-vehicle devices, Communication method.

10. An in-vehicle relay device connected to a plurality of in-vehicle communication devices via a first communication line and connected to one or more in-vehicle control devices via a second communication line, performs communication with the in-vehicle communication device using a first communication protocol for service-oriented communication, performs communication with the in-vehicle control device using a second communication protocol different from the first communication protocol, receives the time-series information distributed from the in-vehicle communication device and transmits it to the in-vehicle control device, By receiving the time-series information transmitted from the in-vehicle control device and transmitting it to the in-vehicle communication device, the in-vehicle communication device stores the time-series information in the stream database it has. Furthermore, The plurality of in-vehicle communication devices include a first in-vehicle communication device having a stream database, and a second in-vehicle communication device that receives the time-series information transmitted from the first in-vehicle communication device, stores it in the stream database, and distributes the time-series information received from the first in-vehicle communication device stored in the stream database when an abnormality of the first in-vehicle communication device is detected. The in-vehicle relay device Performs transmission and reception of time-series information with the first in-vehicle communication device, When an abnormality of the first in-vehicle communication device is detected, performs transmission and reception of time-series information with the second in-vehicle communication device. Communication method.

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